Report: Kings coach Luke Walton sued for sexual assault

Luke Walton during a game with the Lakers this season. (AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman, File)Source:AP

Married NBA coach Luke Walton is facing a lawsuit which alleges he pinned female reporter Kelli Tennant to his bed in a hotel room when she visited to discuss a book opportunity, TMZ reports.

Walton, who coached LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers this season but has recently signed on to coach the Sacramento Kings, had been sought out to discuss writing a foreword for a book Tennant was working on.

In legal documents TMZ cited, Tennant, 31, says Walton convinced her to come to his room at a Santa Monica hotel.

“When they got up to his room, Walton suddenly pinned her to the bed, placing his hips and legs over her body,” TMZ reports.

“Tennant claims Walton then began forcing kisses on her neck, face and chest. She claims she screamed for him to stop and tried to free herself, but he held her down, groped her breasts and groin, and rubbed his erection on her leg.

“She says he eventually relented and let her get up from the bed, but as she was walking towards the door to leave he grabbed her from behind and again forced his body up against hers.

“Tennant claims when Walton finally released his grasp, she opened the door and left, but could hear him say, ‘Good to see you’.”

Kelli Tennant works the sideline in LA.Source:Instagram

Tennant worked for Lakers broadcast rightsholder Spectrum Sportsnet LA for five years before stepping away in late 2017. She also covered baseball and soccer. No date was given for the assault, but the lawsuit alleges it occurred while Walton was an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors. He was a member of Steve Kerr’s staff from 2014-16.

According to TMZ, “she did not initially report Walton’s conduct but was forced to continually interact with him because of her job. She says each time she saw him, Walton would impose himself on her with a big hug or a kiss, even though she thought she made it clear his advances were unwanted ... Tennant claims on one occasion, Walton greeted her by uttering, ‘vulgar, guttural sounds at her’ and said, ‘mmmm ... you’re killing me in that dress’.”

Walton, 39, is the son of NBA legend Bill Walton and married his wife Bre Ladd in 2013. They met in college in Arizona.

He did not respond to TMZ’s request for comment.

Sacramento, who hired Walton earlier this month after he and the Lakers agreed to part ways after three seasons, issued a short statement: “We are aware of the report and are gathering additional information. We have no further comment at this time.”